In 1954, a pastor & his wife felt led to move from Florida to Pueblo, Colorado. They started a Church of God (Cleveland, TN) at 1722 East 2nd Street.
1963
Family Worship Center moved from the couple’s home to a church that they built in front of the house. The small congregation stayed at this location until 1963 when they were able to buy an old Nazarene church at 740 West 15th Street in Pueblo.
In 1990
In 1990, David & Charissa Smith moved to Pueblo, CO with a passion and a vision for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They labored diligently in a small brick church on 740 West 15th for 4 years. God blessed the congregation and it grew to capacity. The church rallied around the young pastors, as they saw them laying carpet, painting classrooms, putting in a sprinkler system & beautifying the small church.
540 Alma Ave
They purchased the Methodist church on 540 Alma Ave. It was exciting times. This church was “home” for 10 years. Being able to expand and have more classrooms for Life Groups. The congregation continued to grow as God blessed the move. There was an exciting children’s church, youth group, Life Group Bible Studies, exciting worship, weddings, and baby dedications.
1994-2004
It was during these 10 years, 1994-2004, that FWC started a second service. We don’t despise small beginnings. It started in the basement of the church with about 15-20 people. Each week the small group would meet to worship & hear God’s Word.
Continuing to Grow
In 2004, the church was full to overflowing. As they searched for a next step, they realized there wasn’t hardly any vacant buildings available. There was one church that was in a rental facility that was quite a bit larger. Pastor David talked with the pastor. They saw that it was what both churches wanted. The smaller congregation wanted a permanent home. FWC wanted a place to continue to grow while they saved money to build. The Pueblo Chieftain published an article about the congregations “Swapping Churches”. The FWC family again was ready to load up and head to a larger home, as God continued to bless them with growth.
801 West 4th Street
This storefront location at 801 West 4th Street was ample room. God continued to move as the church added more Life Group Bible Studies and a full time children’s pastor. Pastor David continued to preach relevant, practical application sermons each week.
Doubling in Size
For 4 years the church family continued to grow from 325-700 while at this store front. The students took summer mission trips. The church family celebrated the years with their annual picnic at the zoo and the Christmas Banquet. We saw lives changed and touched by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vision for the Future
During these years, Pastor David looked at churches around the area and around the country for design & layout. He created a small model version of the church he envisioned as FWC. This model church sat on the table as a reminder of where we were headed
Searching for Land
While at the rental, the Deacon’s team searched for land for our new church. They were able to purchase at Hwy. 50 & Pueblo Blvd. It was thrilling to be able to set foot on property that would be “our home.”
2007
In May, 2007, with the worship team, a large group of the FWC family, we had the ground breaking for our new church. There were tears of joy & excitement that we would have our “own home”.
The Move
In April, 2008, we loaded up the caravan of pickup trucks, trailers, and headed to our new home. We had 600 chairs in tow. There was sound equipment to set up, speakers to mount, classrooms to organize.
A New Home
As with moving any family, there was some anxiousness. Everyone getting used to a new place.
The first service was packed. Pastor David spoke his heart on the new facility. This is our “Tool Box” for ministry. It is for us to use for God’s glory and honor. We want it to be a place of ministry 7 days a week.
Continuing to Grow
For the next 7 years, we have seen God continue to build His church. People have continued to come through the doors saying, “I was drawn to this church.” We have seen our family grow from 700 to over 1500 weekly.
Saturday Night Service
In 2011, we started a Saturday night worship service. It gave more opportunities for people to come to God’s house and worship.
We are Blessed
God has blessed our FWC family mightily. We have Life Group Bible Studies 7 days a week.
Children's Ministry
Our children’s ministry is vibrant and growing with several hundred children. With God’s help, they are growing up in a safe, healthy church where they love God’s house.
Thankful!
We are thankful for all God has done, and for all the wonderful people who attend FWC.
We are truly blessed.
Meet Pastor David & Charissa
“We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature.” Colossians 1:28
David was 15, when in prayer he sensed God’s call to be a pastor. His home was Midland, Michigan, where he grew up in lively family of nine children. David was introduced to church through a neighborhood bus ministry.
In 1981, David prepared himself for pastoring by attending Lee University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Education in 1986. On graduation day, May10, 1986, he married his college sweetheart, Charissa. Together, they have been “2 hearts as one” partners in ministry for over 29 years.
From college, David served in Hazlehurst, GA as a Student Pastor & Minister of Music. They led a vibrant youth choir that toured several states one week of each summer.
In 1990, David felt God calling them to Colorado. He accepted the position of Pastor in Pueblo, Colorado. The small, struggling congregation numbered less than 13 people & met in a small, brick building. No money was available for adequate salaries during those early years so David & Charissa took 2nd jobs and struggled to make ends meet. David did landscaping & made Plexiglas pulpits, while Charissa cleaned houses.
David & Charissa knew that this was where God had placed them & realized the opportunity to see the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in action. They served faithfully and diligently by ministering to all kinds of people.
For over 25 years, David & Charissa have seen God’s faithfulness in allowing the church family to grow. In 3 weekly services, David ministers to over 1500 people.
David is an engaging pastor who loves people deeply. He passionately weaves Biblical truth with real life application. His verse-by-verse preaching challenges people to accept & follow the Word of God as their sole source of authority. With a quick wit & humor, he keeps his teaching “real.” His vision for discipleship focuses on leading people one-by-one toward maturity in Jesus Christ. His greatest joy in pastoring is seeing an individual accept Jesus as their Lord (Follow), grow in Christ (Grow), and then become a part of the ministry team (Serve).
Charissa serves faithfully beside David on the worship team, teaching & mentoring women.
David’s enthusiasm for life spills over in his personal hobbies of building, kayaking, sailing, reading, & hiking.
Pastor David’s personal mission is to give people hope in Christ.
